Cornish Nature

I got an Ergot!

During an early evening walk around Trelusback Farm near Stithians, on Monday 29th August 2011, I came across a number of Common Blue Butterflies – Polyommatus icarus settling down to roost amongst the tall grasses that had sprung up where volunteers from the Cornwall Butterly Conservation group had worked hard to expand a clearing during the late winter & early spring of 2011.

This area had been cleared of gorse and willows to allow Purple Moor Grass - Molinia caerulea and Devil’s Bit Scabious - Succisa pratensis to flourish, these being the key elements of prime habitat in which the rare Marsh Fritillary – Euphydryas aurinia can thrive. Although it is too early to tell if the management work will ultimately be successful in it’s aims, the signs are good with both plant species doing well. The Common Blue’s were certainly making good use of the location and were obvious candidates for a photograph.

Outdoor photographer of the year 2010
Shortlist

Back in November I was delighted to be shortlisted as a possible category winner by Outdoor Photography in the Small World (macro) section of their first annual Outdoor Photographer of the Year awards. This was the first time I had entered a major competition and given that it attracted over 3000 images from 119 countries I was amazed that I made it to the final shortlist with this image of a male Red-veined Darter - Sympetrum fonscolombei adopting the obelisk position. Hopefully I can go one step further in the future!